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Labour reshuffle: Controversial changes as Corbyn appoints five women to the shadow cabinet

Dawn Butler, who was among the 36 MPs who originally nominated Jeremy Corbyn for the Labour Party leadership, has been given a brand-new position in his re-election cabinet reshuffle.

This is significant in several ways. Ms Butler was recently removed as chair of the Women’s Parliamentary Labour Party by Jess Phillips, a vocal opponent of Mr Corbyn.

Not only does Ms Butler’s appointment to a more powerful, shadow cabinet position snub Ms Phillips, but the creation of a new office indicates he has plenty of MPs lining up to take frontbench jobs now.

Mr Corbyn’s first few appointments include shadow ministers for women and equalities, and for black and minority ethnic communities in what seems to be a clear response against Conservative government policies (women have been targeted for years and now, with immigrants under the spotlight, minority ethnic groups will face the same prejudice).

All five of these appointments are women – a direct response and answer to criticisms against Mr Corbyn last year that he did not have enough in his shadow cabinet then.

Shami Chakrabarti’s appointment as shadow attorney general may attract more criticism, especially from those who took issue with her excellent report showing that the Labour Party does not have a significant problem with racism – but Mr Corbyn is absolutely right to make use of her expertise.

And Diane Abbott’s appointment as shadow home secretary is bound to attract a huge amount of criticism as she is always controversial.

Of course there are naysayers already. Tom Blenkinsop tweeted: “Clear Corbyn wants submission not unity. Ignoring wishes of the PLP and just sacking and appointing regardless.”

This is the man who, on Twitter went on a spree of blocking other users, regardless of whether they had even contacted him or mentioned him – leading his victims to adopt the mock honorific, “Blenkinblocked”.

If he wants to see somebody who refuses to listen to alternative opinions and ignores the wishes of others, all he has to do is look in a mirror.

Diane Abbott has been promoted to shadow home secretary in Jeremy Corbyn’s reshuffle of his shadow cabinet.

Shami Chakrabarti is shadow attorney general while Jo Stevens is the new shadow Welsh secretary.

Sarah Champion has been made shadow women and equalities minister. She was previously shadow minister for preventing abuse and domestic violence, a job she returned to after resigning.

Mr Corbyn has created a new position, shadow minister for black and minority ethnic communities, and appointed Dawn Butler to the role.

JC appointing people with a set if skills to do the job they have been given. The fact that many are women so what? Some are now fronting a new dept which are addressing the inequalities which exist in society. It is a break from the usual departmentalising of Govt which reflects the needs of 2016 not 1916 or even 1997. More appointments awaited hoping that he rewards the loyal first and gives the rebels the crumbs left over to put them in their place ie at the back of the queue.